Newbie here.. Hello to everyone..

[huzilulu]

Hi Folks

Just joined the forum, and have spent a couple days looking at various threads and Ultima (GTR and CanAm) build sites...

I am just starting the process - have a factory tour setup for January, and hope to be able to confirm an order post the visit. Right now, just trying to get a look into what I am committing myself too...

Currently, I am thinking about getting a CanAm with the 383 AS motor and a 996 tranny...

A few early questions:
1) Best place to get a list of things I will need (anything not supplied by Ultima or American Speed) - preferably a list that includes list of tools, bits/pieces, other commonly overlooked items, etc
2) Is it at all possible to fit a 996 triptronic tranny - a friend just parted out his car, and has one lying around
3) Will I be able to the do the entire build myself - as in, without ANY help. I have a wife, and 2 little girls, and don't think any of them would want to help with riveting!

Thanks for the help, and I hope to join the community soon!

[macgtech]

Welcome!

My tip - Invest in an air riveter - the single best tool you will ever own!

A rivnut tool also comes in very handy in the later stages of the build.

[confusionhunter]

Welcome!

On the tiptronic, anything is possible but personally I think these cars are all about the drivers experience and I think anything short of the latest double clutch sequential 's-tronic' type boxes, you would be better off with a manual box.
It also depends on how complicated you want your build to be. If you want stuff to bolt together nicely stick to the well known suppliers, but you wont fund much out there on those boxes being installed i wouldn't have thought. Mnuals boxes of many types are tried and tested. Other than that very fancy aussie alvins (?) box that macgtech uses (drool) Im pretty sure the vast majority of ultimas are manual. Can anyone correct me?

[Abbosevolution]

+1 on the air riveter - have one in long-term loan from nabbott and has been a god send. I too have a wife and 2 young children - they dont help so a careful balancing act is required to keep the peace - then the build takes longer - longer than you think or plan - be realistic - if you stick to the factory spec you should be able to do it all - move away with digi dash and LS engine and things will be a bit more challenging - people say enjoy the build, big yes to that but have the sense to walk away when necessary - im now very near the finish (are they ever finished) booking IVA next week - good luck - read the questions/answers on the forum but dont be afraid to ask, a lot of very helpful guys on here

[huzilulu]

Thanks for the quick replies guys...

I am looking for a relatively straight forward build... I've never done anything like this before, so I don't want to enter uncharted territories the first time around... I've had the good fortune of owning a few different cars, but never had to do any 'work' on them except the oil/tire change...

I was thinking of a 996 triptronic because the chassis/engine is setup to already use the 996 manual, so if it were a simple swap, then I would be interested in that.. if its anything more complicated (chassis rework, other complicated gear box build) then I will stick with the manual tranny...

A little about me - 33, originally from TX USA, now living in Dubai, UAE. LOVE anything that can be driven - motorcycles, cars, ATVs, Planes... Had a private pilot license (years back)... Now own a Yamaha R6, MB SL63 and a weekend toy... The plan is to add the Ultima (more as a daily driver), and replace the MB with a 4X4/family vehicle...

Back to question - besides the air rivet, what else is a must have? How about the dolly for building? Or Engine hoist?

Thanks everyone!

[F.C.]

huzilulu said:

Thanks for the quick replies guys...

I am looking for a relatively straight forward build... I've never done anything like this before, so I don't want to enter uncharted territories the first time around... I've had the good fortune of owning a few different cars, but never had to do any 'work' on them except the oil/tire change...

I was thinking of a 996 triptronic because the chassis/engine is setup to already use the 996 manual, so if it were a simple swap, then I would be interested in that.. if its anything more complicated (chassis rework, other complicated gear box build) then I will stick with the manual tranny...

A little about me - 33, originally from TX USA, now living in Dubai, UAE. LOVE anything that can be driven - motorcycles, cars, ATVs, Planes... Had a private pilot license (years back)... Now own a Yamaha R6, MB SL63 and a weekend toy... The plan is to add the Ultima (more as a daily driver), and replace the MB with a 4X4/family vehicle...

Back to question - besides the air rivet, what else is a must have? How about the dolly for building? Or Engine hoist?

Thanks everyone!

AFAIK tip box is not possible, the whole transmission is flipped over to fit in the Ultima.
So you are buggered unless you can find:
1. a torque converter compatible to the (low) weight of the car and the high torque levels produced (in most cases).
2. There is also the problem of keeping ATF in the whole unit!!

The factory will supply a "turn key" LS motor for straight forward fit, LS3 and LS7 available from approximately $17,500 to over $30,000 depending on spec.
Personally the LS3 is the best bang for buck, especially if you decide to source it yourself, this will be a harder route to follow but crate engine price for LS3 is circa £4,500 + ancillaries.
If you are feeling really confident an LS7 is circa $13,000 + ancillaries

Edited by F.C. on Tuesday 30th December 14:48

[UltimaCH]

Hi and welcome aboard!

I have to agree with everything said so far. The air riveter is a must have tool together with a nice air compressor. You will also need a set of basic tools, with a metal saw, plenty of files, etc. as I found nearly everything needs a bit of fettling to fit. Don't rush things, take your time and if you go done the build route, always measure twice or more before cutting.
I'm building a Can-Am and are close to 2 years on the job. Plenty to do to keep busy. I recommend you stay within factory specs and purchase stuff that can be sourced from the factory. They are always ready to listen and help. If you want to have a more individual looking vehicle, everything is possible but expect to need a big and deep wallet.

[macgtech]

confusionhunter said:

Other than that very fancy aussie alvins (?) box that macgtech uses (drool)

Its Albins with a 'B' - not a chipmunk in sight!

[Nabbott]

Abbosevolution said:

+1 on the air riveter - have one in long-term loan from nabbott and has been a god send

Accruing rental charges by the day

Edited by Nabbott on Tuesday 30th December 14:10

[The Italian]

huzilulu said:

Thanks for the quick replies guys...

I am looking for a relatively straight forward build... I've never done anything like this before, so I don't want to enter uncharted territories the first time around... I've had the good fortune of owning a few different cars, but never had to do any 'work' on them except the oil/tire change...

I too am looking, I own a factory five. This ULT is a very fast car and very expensive compared to just walking in and buying something, an almost "sports car".
Once involved you will find many walls, once done you will find much satisfaction, but I would not look for something like this transmission you seek to use. Stick to the basics and enjoy the car, the build. When you are done there will always be "maybe I should have"

I am sure the advice you get here from the guys who already built this car is solid, they want you to join the ranks, it helps the factory and the community. As a first time builder "of anything" forget the picture in your head, when that crate drops on your garage you will think very differently
about doing something only one or two much more experienced builders have done "for racing" purposes.
I know the Ultima is much faster than my Factory Five roadster and let me tell you, my roadster is F&%$(ing F A S T !! Shifting is not a problem, learning to drive becomes a new project you thought you already knew. The car is much faster than your reactions and at first it will scare you, unless you are dull in the head.
Go to the track and get instruction, experience, you will need it in order to enjoy it. You can build it I am sure, but STICK to the basics or you will get PADDLED on the ass.
I always thought the Ultima with paddles would be like a dirt bike in loose gravel, only you can't "fall-off", not for the street. Maybe that "toasted" Porsche from where you seek the transmission is trying to tell you something…….

[Abbosevolution]

Nabbott said:

Accruing rental charges by the day

Edited by Nabbott on Tuesday 30th December 14:10

And not forgetting the storage charges .....

[Storer]

Hi and welcome

From the information you have given I would suggest you stick to Factory spec. I believe they have got the car approved by the authorities in the UAE so a car ordered to the approved specification would be wise for an easier build.

I suspect the UAE is a bit short of experts when it comes to tuning old sbc engines so my advice would be go turn key LS3 or LS7.

Keep reading though the build sites but I suspect your collection of tools is going to expand considerably. If you can find C/J's site he has a set of plans for a build dolly which you will need.

Good luck and enjoy.

Paul

[Steve_D]

Yes a dolly would be required. You can use trestles but a dolly is better.
You will only need the engine hoist once or twice so would probably be best to borrow or hire.
Buy a pack of stumpy 3.2mm drills for riveting. Being short you are much less likely to break them.

Steve

[ROWDYRENAULT]

Welcome: The more you stick to the factories plan the easier the build. The more you source from the factory the easier the project. One option is to let the factory do the paneling
lots of guys really enjoy that part of the build, but it probably represents the steepest part of the learning curve and if not done right you will be starting from a less than perfect foundation. Not the end of the earth but important. Engine choice is simple LS3 if you want to conserve and ONLY 480+ HP will do. LS 7 if you are a little more flush with cash and you have a 550+ HP need. One caveat, do not build this car without a dry sump lube system, period, stop end of report. This car makes way to many Gs in to many directions for a wet sump system. Forget the tiptronic unless yo are on the receiving end a cash cow because that project will drain the cow. Read all the posts, make it a 2 or 3 month project and write down every question that you come up with. Most of the issues that you can possibly come up with have been answered here somewhere and if you have some questions that are not answered I think its true to say that every Ultima owner on this thread and the factory folks are pulling for you to succeed. I will make a comment here that the few times I have seen really asinine comments on this blog, if you checked their personnel page, guess what, they don't own an Ultima. Welcome to the community. Lee

[huzilulu]

Thank you all for the replies.. very much appreciated!

The advise sounds like I will stick with a manual (no problem in driving it since my weekend toy is a gated shifter) - I just wondered since I would like to use the CanAm on a regular/daily basis, and Dubai traffic SUCKS... but there could be worse things in life!

I'm not building this as speed/HP/track demon - so I will probably stick to the 400-500HP motors - what is the difference in the 350ci, 383ci, and LS3 engines? As in - performance, and also maintenance, drive quality, and heat output (I ask heat given that Dubai temps in Summer is 120F+ (45+C, upto 50+ at times)...

Also, someone also pointed out that the Ultima has been approved by UAE road authorities. If anyone has any more information in that regards (approvals, registration process) I would like to know, so I can make sure they will let me register the car when the time comes - I know of an Ultima that sat for 4 years without registration in 2006-2010 because the authorities would not let the owner register it. However, I have recently seen a GTR on the road, so I am assuming it is now possible...

Thanks again everyone!

[pilbeam_mp62]

Steve_D said:

Buy a pack of stumpy 3.2mm drills for riveting. Being short you are much less likely to break them.

Steve

What type of drill bit should a 6 foot 3 builder purchase, Steve ? :-)

[F.C.]

huzilulu said:

what is the difference in the 350ci, 383ci, and LS3 engines? As in - performance, and also maintenance, drive quality, and heat output

About forty years of development.
LS are far more efficient, fuel injection is a must for emissions.
A standard LS3 will start, idle and drive without issue.
LS3 is a no brainer bang for buck.
LS7 if you need the extra power (and expense)

[The Italian]

If you buy an LS7 let's say from Ultima's recommend builder here in the states
You can get a DART Aluminum block, not casted in Mexico, but the costs are high and should be bullet proof

[corvettedave]

macgtech said:

Welcome!

My tip - Invest in an air riveter - the single best tool you will ever own!

A rivnut tool also comes in very handy in the later stages of the build.

I didnt use a air riveter, just a long handled tool, put your back into you wimps!! lol

Edited by corvettedave on Thursday 1st January 18:01

[GTRMikie]

corvettedave said:

I ever used a air riveter, just a long handled tool, put your back into you wimps!! lol

I agree, and what is all this about a build dolly? I built mine on 4 axle stands, in a single garage!